KIEV, April 23. /TASS/. Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Vladimir Demchishin has cut short his visit to the United States following two-day protests of miners in the Ukrainian capital, 122 Ukraine TV channel reported on Thursday.

The minister is returning to Kiev, the TV channel said. However, official sources have not confirmed this report.

Thousands of miners are rallying in downtown Kiev to demand Demchishin's dismissal and repayment of wage debts.

The Opposition Bloc faction left the parliament's plenary session earlier on Thursday to express solidarity with the protetsing miners.

The faction's leader, Yuri Boiko, said the Opposition Bloc members would donate their daily wages to miners.